winter clothing

Not just anyone can pull off a hat like this

Ella a bit miffed that Charlotte showed up to lunch bunch with the same color scheme

Happy 4th and Thanksgiving!

Catching the last of the fall colors. Charlotte took this pic

Last Wednesday, Helaman and I celebrated our 4 year anniversary! It was wonderful to get out of the city and into the boonies for a while. The drive up was full of color. We were at a resort in the Berkshires in upstate Massachusetts. An excess of pre-Thanksgiving shopping led us to forgo a fancy dinner in favor of a good old mall food court experience. We couldn't top last year's Tao dinner, so why try? The resort sponsored our shopping trip by giving us $100 to take a tour of the timeshare property and try to keep a straight face while a very nice salesperson tells us that although we have no home, no income, and no car, we should buy a timeshare.

I'm so thankful for a husband who is (usually) content to shop for hours on end with me. Like I said, we went to the outlets and mall before Thanksgiving, to scout out what me might like to get when everything went on sale on Friday. What we found was that most stores already had their post-Thanksgiving deals going on. I checked with the employees to make sure. Then, I was shocked to find out that some stores (I'm looking at you, Target!) had WORSE deals on Friday then they had had on Wednesday. I was disappointed at the time, but happy to know that I won't be missing anything when I do not join the Black Friday maylay next year. I'll be there on Wednesday.

The first snow!

Charlotte loved the chilly air! She always got very excited when we went outside. This is outside our condo.

The resort had an awesome indoor pool with a view of the ski slopes. Charlotte LOVED her first swim lesson. Those little legs were kicking all over the pool!

We drove out to some waterfalls right at the NY/Mass border, not knowing that you had to hike into them (only about 3/4 mile) but it was challenging with a stroller.

Bash Bish FallsFor Thanksgiving dinner, we ate at the Golden Eagle Restaurant, which is located high on a mountain with amazing views.

It was very cool every morning to see the snow-makers coating the runs.

We won!

Feeling like a rock star already

Occasionally I enter online "mom blog" contests. About a month ago I won these Robeez baby shoes from Boston Mamas, so I thought I'd give them a shout out in appreciation. They are a bit big for Charlotte now, but she will love them soon when she starts toddling around.

Charlotte has recently started demanding balanced meals. Or rather, she won't eat vegetables unless I give her fruits too. It's hilarious - if I bring out a green meal for her she'll start screaming, but if she sees another color offered up too.... all is well.

Houston trip

Together again!

While Helaman was on the interview trail, Charlotte and I went to Houston to see my parents. Helaman also stopped in for the weekend for his UT-Houston interview. I am happy to report that my flights went off without a hitch. Charlotte got her own seat for every flight - luckily I had her car seat. On our way back to NY, we even got the best economy seats on the plane - the first row behind 1st class!

Approval from Cousin Jeff

While in Houston, Charlotte perfected her sitting up skills and has started to clap. She loved seeing her cousins.

What a difference 7 months makes! Charlotte with new cousin Lucy.


Happiest Grandma on the block

We had a great time in Houston, shopping for baby toys and clothes! Charlotte loved playing with her grandparents.

another pumpkin!

I know what you're thinking - not another carving! No... it's Charlotte under there in a costume she liked a lot more than her ladybug outfit. She wore it all day while we went shopping. Only drawback - people couldn't tell she is a little girl! I guess she'd make a cute boy too. Thanks to all who gave our [losing] pumpkin carving a shout out with support (see last post for details). It really needed it at a time like this.
It's fitting that she is a little pumpkin as that is what all the nurses called her in the hospital when she was born because of her orange color! Speaking of.... congrats to Pete and Sheralie who just had a little girl of their own today - Lucy Anna, who narrowly escaped being a Halloween baby. There are now 4 grandkids in our family - 2 girls and 2 boys.